The manufacturing industry is on the rise, and you’re debating whether it’s time to make that big career change. We get it, change is scary and there’s a lot of misinformation out there that might be coloring your opinion. Let us debunk a few common myths about manufacturing to ease your mind and help you make an informed decision.
Myth – It’s for the Unskilled
The idea that a person who works with their hands is somehow less intelligent or skilled than someone with a desk job is ridiculous. You need plenty of skills for manufacturing jobs, and many of them are the same as what you’d need to succeed in an office. The ability to communicate clearly, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail are vital in any career.
As for more technical skills, just because a job is hands-on doesn’t mean it doesn’t take skill and training to do well. You wouldn’t want a welder that doesn’t know what he’s doing building your car, would you? That’s why we offer free training programs and apprenticeships. They will teach you the necessary technical skills to succeed in your chosen manufacturing field.
Myth – It’s Men-Only
This myth couldn’t be more wrong. Women have just as much potential to thrive in the manufacturing industry as men do. Though the numbers are still uneven, the amount of women getting into the industry has been on the rise in the past ten years. It helps that more young girls are being encouraged to study STEM subjects in school – subjects that manufacturing employers have been increasingly invested in. Basically, if you’re a woman who wants to get into the manufacturing field, don’t be intimidated by outdated gender roles.
Myth – Robots Will Take Over
While the manufacturing world is getting more automated, the robots aren’t kicking humans off the assembly line floor. While MIT has indeed made robots that can backflip or run like a cheetah, but the robots in the manufacturing industry are not nearly so advanced. Plus, their jobs are centered more around the simplest or most monotonous of jobs. They’re designed for loading and unloading, arc welding, heavy lifting, and assembly.
And even as robots eliminate some manufacturing jobs, they actually create new jobs. Robotics is a skill in our training programs for a reason, after all. The industry will always need a human touch and leadership skills.
Myth – It’s Dangerous
Perhaps in the early 1900s, when labor unions didn’t exist and safety procedures were unprofitable, manufacturing was extremely dangerous. Nowadays the risk has been substantially reduced. Far more safety precautions are in place, better training is provided, and workers compensation exists if you get injured on the job.
That isn’t to say that there aren’t still risks, but remember those robots you were worried about taking your job? They’re handling more and more of the dangerous work, leading to a safer career choice.
Myth – Juggling Training and a Full-Time Job is Impossible
Not true in the slightest. It can be tricky, but it’s far from impossible to fit career training into your busy schedule. It’s all about choosing a training course that works for you and budgeting your time correctly. With hard work and dedication, you’ll have completed the course and gained the skills necessary to make the career change you’ve been dreaming of.
Now that some of those misconceptions have been cleared up, it’s time to look into our free training programs and start on the course to the career